Local MP Justin Tomlinson attended the Westminster launch of a new campaign by Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) in Parliament aiming to break down the barriers that people with a hearing loss face when trying to find employment.
The charity launched their new employment report, Working for change, improving attitudes to hearing loss in the workplace, which urges businesses and Government to work closer together to help people with a hearing loss to find and stay in work.
Currently there are 11 million people in the UK having hearing loss with almost five million who are of working age, the number, which set to rise considerably in the near future.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “It’s great to support Action on Hearing Loss’ campaign to help people who are deaf or have hearing loss to have equality in finding work. I would urge all businesses and organisations in Swindon to use the charity’s myth-busting report which will really assist in guiding and sign-posting them to the support that is available to help them in employing people with disabilities. As the former Minister for Disabled People, I recognise the importance of promoting the incredible contribution that disabled people can bring to the work place, and it’s very important to have these myth-busting reports to provide accurate information.”
Paul Breckell, Action on Hearing Loss Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted that Justin attended the launch of our new employment report which will help businesses to support people with hearing loss to maximise their valuable skills as it makes no sense that people have to retire or give up work due to their hearing loss owing to an unsupportive working environment. This is costly to employers as they lose highly-skilled staff and will need to spend to recruit again.”
The reports Working for change, improving attitudes to hearing loss in the workplace and Working for change, and increasing confidence in employing people with hearing loss are available to download via https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/supporting-you/policy-research-and-influencing/research/working-for-change.aspx
